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Phils trying to find a way to get by without Revere

Phils trying to find a way to get by without Revere

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By Spencer Fordin
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MLB.com |

NEW YORK -- Losing Ben Revere has really put the Phillies in a bind.

Revere, who broke a bone in his right foot right before the All-Star break, had been one of Philadelphia's hottest hitters in both June and July, and as the team's leadoff hitter and best defender in center field, he's also been one of the team's most difficult players to replace.

Philadelphia had five outfielders on the roster when the second half of the season commenced on Friday, and manager Charlie Manuel said they may not realign until the end of the weekend. Until then, the Phillies have John Mayberry in center field and not much depth behind him.

Scott Proefrock, the team's assistant general manager, said Friday that the Phillies have enough players to get through the next few days. Reserve Laynce Nix can help off the bench, and Proefrock said that veteran infielders Kevin Frandsen and John McDonald can also play the outfield.

"Nix can play some center field if he has to," said Proefrock. "Frandsen can probably play some outfield. He's done it before. Johnny Mac can play all over the place. I think we're in pretty good shape. Everybody should be well rested. ... I think we're good to go."

Revere, acquired in the offseason from Minnesota, batted .354 in June and then .388 in his first 11 games in July before injuring himself on a foul ball. Revere saw foot and ankle specialist Dr. Steve Raikin over the All-Star break, and the Phillies were given a clear path to his recovery.

First, Revere will spend two weeks immobilized, and then he'll be reevaluated. If all is well at that point, he would be taken out of his splint and placed into a walking boot. And if everything keeps progressing, Revere would be able to begin weight-bearing exercises two weeks after that.

"Long term, we're still looking at six to eight weeks for his return to play," said head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan. "Again, returning to being able to play and returning to being able to play at this level are two different things. A lot of times, physicians talk about return to play being at six weeks. You've still got to remember [that] being able to face what's going on out here is a little bit different."

Nobody knows that better than the Phillies, who now have to find a way to get by without Revere. Jimmy Rollins has batted in the leadoff slot 38 times this season, and Manuel expects him to have a big second half. But even if he does, the Phillies have to replace Revere's production.

"Ben, for the last five weeks, had been doing a super job for us," said Manuel. "He's been one of the reasons why we've been winning some games and our offense has picked up."

Spencer Fordin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.